• Chief Incumbent of the Kande Viharaya has submitted documents to Thai authorities to send back the tusker to Thailand on condition that it be returned after treatment

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

The Thai-gifted elephant Plai Sak Surin, also known as Muthu Raja, planning to be sent back to Thailand, will be brought back to Sri Lanka after necessary treatment in Thailand, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said yesterday.    

 Prime Minister told Parliament that the custodian of the elephant, the Chief Incumbent of the Kande Viharaya has submitted the documents to the Thai authorities to send back the tusker to Thailand on condition that it be returned to Sri Lanka after treatment.   

The Prime Minister said this in response to a question by Parliamentarian Dullas Alahapperuma regarding the ailing Sak Surin.   
Responding to MP Alahapperuma’s allegation that Sri Lankan authorities have failed to register a formal apology to the Thai government over the incident, the Prime Minister said he apologized to the Thai Prime Minister for the incident during his recent visit to Thailand.   

Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the Wildlife Department has no responsibility over the elephant as it had been granted to the Kande Viharaya on a “Sannas Pathraya”.   

She said however, after learning about the condition of the tusker, it was brought to the Dehiwala zoo and provided necessary care and treatment.   

The Minister said Sri Lanka requested the Thai Ambassador not to send back the elephant to Thailand and added that Kande Viharaya Chief Incumbent, present owner of the elephant, has given his approval to take the tusker temporarily to Thailand for treatment after firm requests by the Thai Ambassador.   

• Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the Wildlife Department has no responsibility over the elephant